Business and Communication

Business and Communication instructors will provide real-world, relevant and challenging academic experiences in a caring, compassionate and safe environment. Our goal is to develop lifelong learners prepared for post-secondary experiences and eventually transition to become productive and responsible citizens. We will provide creative learning experiences that will equip our students with skills in emerging technologies and provide leadership opportunities through student organizations.

Challenging coursework is designed to motivate students to exert time and effort in mastering concepts necessary for success in a global economy. Productive and responsible citizens are individuals who, through well-designed lessons, will understand what 21st-century skills and workplace competencies mean and will be able to apply them to a variety of situations. Emerging technologies represent contemporary advances, innovations and business models in a variety of fields.

GRADES 9 - 12

Journalism

Grade level(s): 9 - 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit

Prerequisite(s): ninth graders must be concurrently enrolled in Honors English 9

Other information: may be repeated for credit

Journalism is a course designed for students interested in newspaper, web and broadcast journalism. Students will learn the fundamentals of news, contemporary media and ethical responsibilities of journalists, and feature, editorial and sports writing. Students will develop, write, and edit the monthly school newspaper for both print and online editions in this course. Responsibilities include story development and composition, revisions, photography and newspaper layout; ultimate editorial approval is held by school administration. Students will also be responsible for maintaining and editing the website, social media and podcast.

Speech and Debate

Grade level(s): 9 - 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit

Prerequisite (s): none

Other information: only one semester can be counted toward NCAA eligibility

Students will study the fundamentals of public speaking and argumentation through participation in competitive speech and debate events. This course is designed to give students an introduction to speaking persuasively in a variety of contexts, including formal oratory, debates and a mock congress. The workshop format allows students to learn by doing, receiving and acting on feedback and reflecting on their successes and challenges for continued growth. This course will effectively prepare students for speech and debate competitions.

Advanced Speech and Debate

Grade level(s): 9 - 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit

Prerequisite(s): Speech and Debate

Other information: may be repeated for credit; participation in tournaments as part of the EC Speech and Debate team is required of students enrolled in this course

Students will hone existing skills in public speaking, research and debate while focusing on competitive speech and debate events. This course runs as an independent study with students offering leadership for the novice class and developing their cases and speeches for competition. Students are required to participate in at least six tournaments during the semester, competing regularly in both a speech event and a debate event. Students engage in one-on-one coaching during community periods and offer peer-coaching and collaboration during class time.

Yearbook I

Grade level(s): 9 - 12

Length/credit: full year/two elective credits

Prerequisite(s): none

Yearbook is a year-long course in which students receive real-world publishing experience. Students produce, design and manage the layout of the Eastside Catholic yearbook. This course includes learning about principles of design, photography and journalism. It is a requirement that students commit to working both in class and after school to meet production deadlines.

Yearbook II

Grade level(s): 10 - 12

Length/credit: full year/two elective credits

Prerequisite(s): Yearbook I

Other information: editorial staff is selected from students enrolled in Yearbook II; may be repeated for credit

Yearbook is a year-long course in which students receive real-world publishing experience. Students produce, design and manage the layout of the Eastside Catholic yearbook. This course includes learning about principles of design, photography and journalism. It is a requirement that students commit to working both in class and after school to meet production deadlines.

Marketing I

Grade level(s): 9 - 12 (12th grade students with instructor permission)

Length/credit: full year/two elective credits

Prerequisite(s): none

Other information: time out of class is required for field trips and leadership and competitive activities, including fundraising which is required to supplement DECA competition fees; 95% of homework is completed in class; students who do not use class time for assignments will have homework

In this year-long course, students learn the foundations and functions of marketing, including basic economics, product sales and promotion and social media’s role in marketing and advanced communication skills. Students will learn small business operations by staffing the Eastside Catholic student store. DECA membership is required and students will compete in either a case study or a marketing representative DECA competitive event.

Marketing II/Entrepreneurial Studies

Grade level(s): 10 - 12

Length/credit: full year/two elective credits

Prerequisite(s): Marketing I

Other information: time out of class is required for field trips and leadership activities, including fundraising, which is required to supplement DECA competition fees; 95% of homework is completed in class; students who do not use class time for assignments will have homework

This year-long course offers advanced marketing students the opportunity to create a business plan based on sound marketing research and new product/service development. Students utilize the project management framework to ensure the business plan’s success. Students serve as leaders for the Eastside Catholic DECA organization and manage the operations of the student store. Students compete in DECA case study competitions and project events.

Marketing III/Entrepreneurial Studies

Grade level(s): 11, 12

Length/credit: full year/two elective credits

Prerequisite(s): Marketing II

Other information: time out of class is required for field trips and leadership activities, including fundraising which is required to supplement DECA competition fees; 95% of homework is completed in class; students who do not use class time for assignments will have homework

This year-long capstone course focuses on the construction and implementation based on a foundation of project management of an entrepreneurial business proposal, including detailed marketing research and sound knowledge of business and marketing strategies. Alternatively, students may complete a capstone DECA chapter project or similar advanced marketing event. Students compete in DECA case study competitions and project events.

Accounting I

Grade level(s): 10 - 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit

Prerequisite(s): none

Other Information: 100% of homework is completed in class; students who do not use class time for assignments will have homework

Accounting is a semester-long skill-level course valuable to all students interested in business, marketing and management. This introductory course focuses on managerial accounting. Skills learned are problem-solving, critical thinking and the use of business technology. The course covers the accounting process, financial reporting, accounting principles (GAAP) and the interpretation and use of financial accounting data for a service business organized as a sole proprietorship.

Accounting II

Grade level(s): 10 - 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit

Prerequisite(s): Accounting I

Other Information: 100% of homework is completed in class; students who do not use class time for assignments will have homework

This semester-long course is a continuation of Accounting I, with a focus on financial accounting. Skills learned are problem-solving, critical thinking and the use of business technology. The course covers the accounting process, financial reporting, accounting principles (GAAP) and the interpretation and use of financial accounting data for a merchandising business organized as a corporation. Business ethics will be covered in this course.

Financial Algebra: Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications

Grade level(s): 11, 12

Length/credit: full year/two elective or math credits

Prerequisite(s): Algebra II

Other Information: about 2 hours of homework per week

This course is designed to build upon prior knowledge of math concepts from other courses. This algebra-based course features real-world algebra concepts found in investing, banking, credit, income taxes, insurance and household budgeting. Step-by-step strategies will help students learn the time-value of money, evaluate the best banks and credit cards, make financial decisions like buying a car or renting an apartment, calculate payments and interest on loans, invest in the stock market and build a business plan by knowing costs and profits.